Abstract: Human impacts on the Earth system raise serious, often novel ethical concerns. Introduced in 2009, the Planetary Boundaries (PB) framework now figures prominently to link Earth system sciences to global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, despite academic and political omnipresence, the PB framework has received little ethical attention.

This project has two integrated aims: First, it will publish nine dialogues—videos and print—covering each aspect of the PB framework in which prominent, diverse scholars debate challenges of science and ethics. Second, it maps ethical implications of the PB framework for a subsequent project on Earth system ethics.

Outcomes of the project will be an edited volume published by Cambridge University Press and a podcast.

Timetable: 2023-2024

IR: Dr. Simon Meisch and Dr. Jeremy Schmidt